OSCE welcomes Afghanistan as new Partner for Co-operation

VIENNA, 4 April 2003 - The OSCE, the world's largest regional security organization, has agreed to establish formal links, under its Partner for Co-operation scheme, with the Transitional Islamic State of Afghanistan, to assist that country meet the Organization's standards and principles on democracy and security.

The decision, which was taken at the 445th meeting of the Permanent Council on Thursday, means that Afghanistan will be invited to OSCE Summit meetings and sittings of its Ministerial Council, as well to participate in more regular activities on economic, human dimension and security matters.

Its partnership request was made by the Interim Foreign Minister, Abdullah Abdullah, to the Netherlands Chairmanship of the OSCE in a letter of 18 February, which expressed Afghanistan's intention to share the principles, values and goals of the OSCE.

Ambassador Justus de Visser, Chairman of the Permanent Council, said after yesterday's agreement, "The Chair welcomes the decision taken by the Permanent Council to grant Afghanistan the status of Partner for Co-operation and will take early action to discuss with Afghanistan various matters of mutual interest and possibilities for co-operation."

Afghanistan, which shares a long border with three existing participating States of the OSCE - Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan - has mutual security interests with them, as well as with other OSCE States.

The 55-nation OSCE now has 10 Partners for Co-operation, including the six Mediterranean Partners and three other Partners in Asia - Japan, South Korea and Thailand. The partners, while not participating in all regular political negotiating fora of the OSCE, nevertheless maintain close relations and hold frequent seminars to explore ways to strengthen co-operation on issues of mutual interest and meet OSCE principles, goals and values.

The PC Decision also requested "the Secretary General and the Chairmanship-in-Office to make arrangements for regular exchanges of views and information between the OSCE and Afghanistan, including access to official OSCE documents, on various matters of mutual interest and possibilities for co-operation."

More about the OSCE Partners for Co-operation scheme can be found on the OSCE website.